A lot of craigslist audition guys don't know what they want. It can be frustrating, you just have to press on and keep looking.
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Frustrating audition experience - long rant alert
- Thread starter GCPENG
- Start date
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
Unless they're really freekin' good and you really want it, I'd say buh bye.
Same thing here- I left a band after 6 months (that got at least ONE GIG every weekend, even though the drummer COULDN'T HOLD A TEMPO EVEN IF IT WAS IN A BUCKET, ON A PALLET, BEING CARRIED AROUND BY A LICENSED DRIVER!)
It was him or me...
I chose ME!
What am I missing, learning 13 songs in two weeks doesn't sound like a big deal? I agree it's a bit much for an audition but totally doable with minimal effort IMO.
Auditions are usually over in the first 60 seconds. They don't know what they should be listening for and can't be very good. If this was a solid rhythm section, they would make you play a verse and a chorus a two or three tunes and drummer would get up and say this is the guy and the rest of the guys would hear the same connection and say, this is the guy! or... thanks not a great fit.
I had a guy who wanted me to audition with like 10 songs and I just quit taking his calls. It's just a waste of everybody's time. 3-4 seems reasonable. And the BL just keeps moving the goalposts. You're better off not dealing with him
When I did auditions on the 'looking for' side, we sent the applicants our entire setlist and asked for three songs.
This should be more than enough to see if it's a fit.
I mean, who auditions ten songs? That's like an entire band practice's worth of time. When you suck on the first four songs, how shall you swing it around in the following six?
If I was to audition for a spot in a high profile band that gets frequent gigs that are paid handsomely, I'd be willing to do more than three, maybe even up to a dozen.
If I was auditioning for a spot in Metallica, I'd learn their entire discography and when I show up, I'd ask them what they'd feel like playing.
If I was asked to learn 7 new songs for a second audition for a weekend warrior band that does low profile gigs, where I did not get the spot on the first audition, I'd ask them why they did not choose me right away and hope for a really good explanation. If it's not that good, I'd look elsewhere.
This should be more than enough to see if it's a fit.
I mean, who auditions ten songs? That's like an entire band practice's worth of time. When you suck on the first four songs, how shall you swing it around in the following six?
If I was to audition for a spot in a high profile band that gets frequent gigs that are paid handsomely, I'd be willing to do more than three, maybe even up to a dozen.
If I was auditioning for a spot in Metallica, I'd learn their entire discography and when I show up, I'd ask them what they'd feel like playing.
If I was asked to learn 7 new songs for a second audition for a weekend warrior band that does low profile gigs, where I did not get the spot on the first audition, I'd ask them why they did not choose me right away and hope for a really good explanation. If it's not that good, I'd look elsewhere.
+ 1. If it were me, I'd have chucked that band in after the first audition.
I learned early on to not take any more equipment than I could carry in both hands. The main reason that combo amps exist.
There's nothing worse than telling an entire band that they should take up golf, then ask for help getting your 810 cabinet down the stairs lol.
There's nothing worse than telling an entire band that they should take up golf, then ask for help getting your 810 cabinet down the stairs lol.
I don't think I've ever been to an audition, or a rehearsal, or a jam session, that had the time to do 13 songs. That's a lot for one day. Not unreasonable for a gig with a 3-hour shift, but not for that situation.
These guys sound like chumps. Avoid.
These guys sound like chumps. Avoid.
Nope, not wrong and not being difficult. I would also have an issue with the moving goals, and they really don't need more than 3 songs, at most, to get a feel for your playing and theirs. Life is too short to deal with people who expect you to jump through hoops that keep moving for a weekend warrior band.
But, it's a good thing that this happened now, rather than having a fantastic audition with them, joining their band, and realizing that this band is way more trouble than it's worth.
Maybe you should check the drummersworld forum for the topic “Frustrating Audition with Bassplayer”.
Just kidding
I was asked to audition for a band. Told leader give me 5 songs and I'll audition in a week. He said they are preparing for a gig so how about 2 weeks. I said ok, then give me 10 songs. I figured I'd better get a head start on the set list. And if there is any competition I'll stand out if i know more. Heck i might even learn more of their list.
It’s not that it isn’t possible, it’s that it’s a waste of time for both parties. Especially if the band has another 4 or 5 bassists to audition.
I agree it's doable, but what are 13 songs going to really tell you that 5 songs won't?
